Aerial camera



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AERIAL CAMERA Filed March 1, 1923 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 amventoz 351 p attic 0mm; J

Jan. 4, 1927.

1,6T2,860 S. M. FAIRCHILD AERIAL CAMERA Filed March 1, 1923 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 1/ 11/. flllll/l I Q unuunnn ilin LX Snow W02 amm 11 Shets-Sheet 10 newton M 5" 5, 771. Gwen Lew Jan. 4,1927.

8. M. FAERCHILD AERIAL CAMERA Filed March 1.

Jan 4, 1927. I v 1,612,860

S. M. FAIRCHILD AERIAL CAMERA Filed March 1, 1923 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 6111mm? v Patented 4, 192 7.

UNITED STATES SHERMAN I. IAIBCHILD, OF NEW YORK, 31. Y.

AERIAL CAMERA.

. Application fled Iarch 1,

This invention relates to aerial cameras, particularly of the type adapted to be op- I erated by power, such as is used in military 1 and ma ping operations. 5 The c ief object of my invention is to provide a camera of superior utility for producing work of the greatest accuracy under I the var ing and often diflicult conditions met wit in aerial photography. To attain this result I make use of a combination of various features contributing to the complete usefulness of the camera. through versatility, convenience of use, and through the use of devices eliminating or correcting errors of scale, distortion and focus. Since some of the devices for these purposes are not new I do not constitute the use of the devices part of my invention, but only means necessary for the adaptation 530 of these devices to my camera.

In carrying out one part of my invention, I may provide means for conveniently using lenses of different focal lengths, permitting the use of the camera for obtaining con- .siderable detail, even from a high altitude, or when desirable, for covering a Wider field on the same area of sensitive surface. For the convenience in operating my camera, particularly in the confined space available in an aeroplane, I provide means for operating thecamera by hand, or, when desirable, by power and under control from a distance, at will. Means may also be provided to rapidly substitute a new supply of sensitive material when needed, thus insuring continuous operation over long periods of time as is frequently necessary in making a series of overlapping photographs for subsequent asi'embly into a photographic map.- To improve the utility of my camera and thereby improve the results obtained, through the elimination of distortion and errors of focus which might otherwise make photographs obtained unsuitable for precise measurements F in cartography, I may provide the camera -\vitl1 a shutter at the lens, instead of the focal plane shutter generally used in aerial cameras, and with means for clamping the film, if film is used, firmly in the focal plane of the lens. Further improvements constituting my invention will become apparent v in the following detaileddescriptionof one .construction'which I may use in carrying out thecomplete invention'and in the claims. In carrying out my invention as stated 1923- Serial No. 622,032.

above, I construct my camera in separable and interchangeable units, each carrying its proper part of the mechanisms composing the whole and provided with separable connecting means for causing the component parts of the mechanism to operate harmoniously when the camera is assembled.

For convenience in use I provide means whereby the various operations of preparmg the camera for exposure, making the exposure, and when necessary, of furnishing a new supply of sensitive material, may be performed at will without interference, or, when used with remote control, the preparing of the camera for exposure may be done automatically immediately after the exposure is made. This means, which for convenience is termed the driving mechanism, may include a source of mechanical power, as for example an electric motor, or it may merely control the. application of mechanical or manual power and distribute the same to the several other mechanisms or devices in the camera for the harmonious operation thereof.

To eliminate the distortion and uneven exposure which often result from the use of focal plane shutter, I prefer to use a shutter at the lens, which may be of the construction described in my copending application Serial No. 565,075, or of any other construction convenient and suitable for the purpose.

Since the use of flexible film is desirable for its light weight and small bulk I providea magazine therefor, carrying mechanism for positioning the film which may include aglass plate against which the film is pressed during exposure by a movable plate which is adapted to be readily released and removed for inspection and cleaning of the glass plate, and for other purposes which will occur to one skilled in the art. I may also provide a plurality of duplicate magazines which may be loaded in advance; so that when a roll of film, for example, has been exposed the magazine containing the same can be removed and one containing unexposed film can be substituted. This operation requires less time than would be needed to remove the used film from the magazine and insert a fresh roll. I do not limit myself, however, to the use of film as the same principles can also be applied to the use of interchangeable plate magazines,

Fig. 1 is a elevational view of my camera, suppotted in a universal mounting of the gimbal type.

Fig, 2 is a similar view ofv the camera from the left of Fig. 1.-

Figs. 3, 3", 3 and 3 are perspective views which, taken together, show my camera disassembled, with two interchangeable lens cones, one for a lens of longer focus than the other. Of these figures, Figs. 3 and 3 show the removable film magazine and the camera body, respectively. and Figs. 3 and 3 show the two lens cones mentioned.

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of a portion of the camera body, showing the camera-driving mechanism, partly in horizontal section on line 4- 4 of Fig, 5.

Fig. 5 is a detailcross section on line 55 of Fig, 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional plan view on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail section on line 7-7 of Fig. 5 showing the position of certain parts immediately after release of the shutter.

Fi 8 is a detail, section on line 8--8 of Fig. F, and Fig. 9 is a detail section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10, on the same sheet as Fig. 6, is a diagram illustrating the electric circuits employed in the driving mechanism,

Fig. 11 is an elevational view of my camera removed from its mount, with portions of the body-easing and lens cone broken awayto show enclosed parts. and with the magazine detached and raised slightly above the camera body.

Fig". 12 is a side view ofthe detachable magazine with part of its casing broken away to show portions of the film-spacing and film-positioning mechanism.

Fig. 13 is an end-sectional view of the magazine, on line ].313 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view similar to Fig. 13, but showing the parts in a different operative position.

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view on line 15-15 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a detail view. in elevation, with parts broken away, ofcertain elements shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

Fig. 17 is a detail perspective view of parts shown in Fig. 16.

Figs. 18-and 19 are detail sections on lines 18-18 and 19-19, respectively, of Fig. 16.

Fig. 20 is a side view of the film indicator.

Fig. 21 is a cross section of the magazine, on line 2121 of Figs. '12 and 22.

Fig. .22 is a detail plan view of the film- 'positioning or pressure plate and its actuating mechanism.

In the construction shown, my camera comprises a camera-body 10, housing the driving mechanism and carrying the driving motor 11, which latter is rigidly mounted on the camera body; a magazine 12, housing the sensitive film' or plates, as the case may be; and a lens cone 13, housing the lens and shutter. These three parts. the camera body, the magazine, and the lens cone, are separable from each other, and constitute what may for convenience be termed separable camera units. The preferred mounting, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is fully described in my copending application Ser. No. 595,- 046, to which reference may be had for a detailed explanation. It is deemed sufficient here to say that the camera is pivoted (at diametrically opposite points) in brackets 14 on an inner gimbal ring or frame 15 which is itself pivoted (at the ends of a diameter at right angles to and in the plane of the axis of the camera pivots) in brackets 16 on a carrier ring 17 rotatably mounted on a support 18. The latter is suspended by means of arms 19 which can be mounted on the aeroplane in a convenient way, as by means of clamps20 adapted to engage suitable parts of the aeroplane, not shown. The camera pivots, 21, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 3. and 11, are preferablycarried by the removable lens cone, as described more fully hereinafter.

The removable magazine 12 carries the v sensitive film or plates, as previously stated, and also houses'the changing mechanism, that is the means by which the plate or film is carried out of the focal plane or exposure field after each exposure and by which a fresh plate or film is brought into the field for the next exposure. The driving mechanism, carried by the camera body 10, actuates the changing mechanism at appropriate times. and also actuates or controls the shutter which is carried by the detachable lens cone 13. For these purposes releasable connections are provided between the changing mechanism and the driving mechanism, and between the driving mechanism and the shutter, as more fully described hereinafter.

Referring now to Figs. 3 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, wherein the driving mechanism is illustrated in detail, 30 designates a driving shaft which may be rotated by means of a hand-crank 31; or by means of the electric motor 11, connected in any convenient mannor, as by suitable gearing not shown, to 1 a transmission shaft 32. The latter shaft has a worm 33 meshing with a worm gear 34 pinned or otherwise fixed on the hub of a clutch-member 35 which is rotatable but is axially statlonary on the adjacent end of the driving shaft 30. The latter also has cent end of the aligned crank shaft 41. It will be observed that the ratchet teeth on the two clutches, 35-36, 38-40, are opposite in direction, .Accordingly, if; the motor is driving the shaft the cumming effect of the cooperating teeth of clutch 38-40 can slide member 38 back on the'shaft against the pressure of spring 39. In other words, clutch 38-40 sim ly overruns. Similarl if the motor is isabled and the shaft is being rotated by means of the hand crank, or if the shaft is beingdriven by the hand crank faster than the motor can rotate the clutch member 35, the clutch -36 likewise overruns. To keep the crank from swinging or revolving when not in use the stem of the handle 42 is shifted into a locking recess 43, Fig. 5, in the side of the casing 44. -This handle is provided with two circumferential grooves, one of which is shown at 45, Figs. 4 and 6. In the other is seated a helical spring'46 held around the stem by an annular groove .47 in the end of the crank. When the stem" is pressed into the recess '4:

the spring is ,cammed into thc-groove-47' and snaps into the outer'groove when the stem is seated in the locking recess, thereby f holdingv the handle yieldingly in the recess. To release the crank for use it is only necessary 0 pull the handle out until the spring snaps into the other groovein the stem.

The shutter 205, Fig. 11, is set bya rotatable shaft 51, Fig. 5, and is released, to make an exposure, by a rock-shaft 52. If the shutter is of the self-setting type. the rockshaft may perform both functions. The chan ing mechanism, by which the plate or til 5 operation, is actuated by the gear 53 and 1 shaft 54(Fig. 4) on which it is fixed.

I For the purpose of rocking the shaft 52 to release or trip the shutter, the shaft is connected at its inner end with a latch plate 56 having a tooth 57 normally engaged by a pivoted dog 58 which holds the plate in its home or inoperative position shown in Fig. 6. The dog mentioned has a stud 59, Fig. 7, extending into a groove in the adjacent end of the core 60 of asolenoid 61, so

'that when the solenoid is energized and the core retracted the dog will be disen aged 7 from the latch plate and thus permit the latter to berocked counterclockwise by'the.

spring 62, as in Fig. 7, until arrested by the stop 63. The movement thus imparted to the shaft 52, Fig. 5, releases the shutter.

The solenoid 61 is in circuitwith a battery or other source of current 64, Fig. 10,

., which circuit'also contains a pair of norlnally openspring contactsl65 located at any convenient point and adapted to be closed by means of a' key 66. When the contacts are opened again by release of the key a the circuit is of course broken, whereupon the leaf spring 67, Figs. 4 and 5, advances m is changed in each cycle of the solenoid core to its initial position, shown I in the figures mentioned. The core may also be'retracted manually by moment a sliding trig r 68, Fig. 5, connected to the rear end of t e core by an arm 69. v

Each release of the latch plate 56 (by whichthe shutter is tripped) is registered on a suitable counter 70, Fig. 6. For this purpose the counter is actuated by a sliding rod 71, urged leftwardly and normally held against the .outer end 0 r the latch plate by a spring 72, so that who the plate is swung by its spring 60 the rod wil follow. On thereturn movement of the plate (eti'ected as explained below) the rod is retracted and the spring '72 again com ressed.

When the forked late late or yoke 56 swings counterclockwise i 6) to release the shutter the stud or stop 73 on the plate is carried into engagement with the spiral or snail cam 74, which, as hereafter ex to its initial position and into engagement again with the dog 58. This means that the dog is cammed in the counterclockwise direction as the tooth 57, Fig. 6,-passes over it, but such movement of the dog is permitted by the s ring 67, Fig. 5, which serves to advance t esolenoid core and hold the dog yieldin ly in the ath of the latch plate tooth 57. t will be 0 served that after the cam has swung the latz-h plate the latter is held positively in such position until the dro in the cam has passed the stud 73, as in P ig. 7. By that time, however, the chan ing mechanism and the shutter-setting mec anism have completed their operations. In other words, the'o rator may close the con tacts 65, or all t e-trigger 68, at an time he (pleases, ut the shutter cannot t ereby be ischarged until it has been set and the plate or film changed. Nor can the shutter spring be over-wound more than to the slight time the drop in. the cam reaches the stud 73, thus causing an exposure to bemade at each rotation of the cam. But even in that .case the exposure can occur only after, .and

never before, the plate or film has been changed. The gear 53, Fig. 4, is driven by a gear 7 5, Figs. 4, and 5, fixed on a transverse counter shaft 76, and the shaft 51,,Fig. 5, is driven by agear 77 meshing with a gear 7 8; fixed on the same shaft 76 to which cam 74 is also fixed. The shaft 76 is itself driven by the devices described below. On the shaft 76, just mentioned, is a loose sleeve 79, Figs. 7 and 8, on which are fixed a driving ratchet 80, and a helical "driving gear 81, the latter meshing with a arrow, Fig. 7, the shaft 76 and the gears 77' and dog. strikes the lug and is rocket counterclocksiinilar gear 82, Fig. 4, on the driving shaft 30.. It will therefore be seen that to rotate the shaft 76 the gears 7 5 and 76, thereby actuatin the changing and setting mecha nisms, the sleeve and shaft must be connected, this purpose the following instrumr es are provided: r

M, which is fired on the shaft l A ivoted driving pawl Figs. 5, fl l 8, on the same pivot is a controllin e6. 87 and 88 are pro vicl ed to hold the pawl and dog normally in the relative positions shown in Fig. 6, which the stud 89 on the pawl bears against the arm 96 of the dog, this position the tail of the dog rests against a lug 91 on the extension 92 or" the latch plate 56, which holds the pawl out, of engagement with the driving ratchet 86. W hen, however, the latch plate is rocked countercloclc' wise to discharge the shutter as previously explained, the lug 91 is disengaged from the dog, whereupon the spring 88 rocks the dog and pawl assembly clockwise and brings the latter into enga ement with the ratchet 80, as in Fig. 7. If then the latter is rotating or begins to rotate in the direction ofthe and 78 are rotated therewith.

Revolving in thedirection of the arrow, Fig. 7, the pawl 85 and the dog 86 approach their initial position just after the latch plate has been re-engaged by the locking pawl 58 as previously explained, so that the lug 91 is in the path of the tails of the pawl The tail of the dog therefore wise thereby tensioning spring 87 until the "tail of the pawl is also in contact with lug 91.

The movement of the dog and pawl assembly being continued, the pawl-is rocked out of engagement with the ratchet, and spring 87 rocks the pawl farther from the ratchet so that it cannot re-engage the latter upon the reverse movement of the cam 74 explained hereinafter. At this instant the drop'on cam 74 is beyond the stud 7 3 on the latch plate, the recess 93 in the disk 9%, Fig. 9, is beyond the stud 95 on arm 96, and. the shutter driving spring (not shown) has been slightly over-wound. The latterspring therefore reverses the movement ,of the cam- 74 and shaft "76 and turns them backward until the shoulder 93 in disk 94 comes against the stud 95 as in Fig. 6, thereby arresting the backwardly turning parts in the position shown in the figure just mentioned. In this position, asnin Fig. 7 also, the tail of the pawl 85 is in rear of the tail of the dog 86 and hence is not bearing against lug 91. On the other hand, the stud 89 is held'in engagement with arm by spring 87, so that when the lug is again swung down, the dog, urged by spring 88,

will positively carry the pawl into enga ement with the ratchet. It will be seen t at spring 88, under tension when the parts are in initial 0 over-wound shutter-spring tends to rotate the cam counterclockwise. This movement, however, is prevented by stud in the recess "95 disk 9%, which is rigidly connected with the cam,

Inasmuch as the setting mechanisms c entirely disconnected the shafts l6 and 86 when said mecha nisms have performed the functions for which, they are designed, themotor which drives the two shafts run continuously. it is preferred to stop the motor after the camera has been prepared for the exposure changing and shutter- 1 .0

start it again after the shutter has been 7 and 9) cams the arm 96 counterclockwise, causing the insulating finger 10a to close the contacts 101, thus laying a shunt across contacts 100, Fig. 10. When the latch plate is swung back to initial position by the cam 74 the last mentioned contacts open again; but the motor circuit is not broken thereby, since the cam 94 is still holding the contacts 10l closed, and continues to do so until the recess 93 in its edge reaches the stud 95. This occurs just after the changing and setting mechanisms have been fully operated. The motor then stops, both pairs of contacts being open, and does not start again untilv the shutter has been released for the next exposure.

The operation of the devices illustrated is described in detail in the foregoing, but may briefly summarized as follows:

Retraction of the solenoid core 60 (by clos 9 ing .thesolenoid contacts 65, Fig. 10, or by' pulling the-trigger 68, Fig 5) rocks the dog 58, Fig. 6, counterclockwise, thereby releasing the latch plate 56, which i s at once swung in the same direction by its spring 60. This mm'ement of the latch plate withdraws lug 91 from the tail of dog 86, allowing the drivingpawl 85,130 swing up into engagement withthe driving ratchet 80, and causes stud '102 to close the motor contacts 100, thereby starting the motor 11 and connecting the shaft 76 and gears 77 78, with the motordriven gear 81,'ratchet 80, and cams 74, 94.

The mechanisms for changing the plate or film and setting the shutter are thus ac: tuated. As the cam 7 4 revolves it'gradually restores the latch plate 5.6 to initial position;

As the cam disk 9 L starts, the incline 103 therein (see Figs.

i. 'J" a was as 1631 VT 4-? in .y s c-oi. nor 2:111:32 pnrp p i t' roiler. 1 11 net. t

1 15 on the take oy dentiy, 1.; the 3156-115) ins-measuring sector 16:1

war

ad, and accordingly seed M given its maximum he spool arm 1 13 is i he arin 1 36 is retracted, l pick up the ratchet hence gii e thespool correspondingi -..oven1ent; hut inasmu h as l ne movement of the spool. aye proporticnei to "the increased a r of th roli of film on the spool,- the or length of him wound onto the s ool each movement thereoi is suhstan tielly constant.

As will seen from the above, the posi- 1 tion oi the sector 1 .11, Fig. 13, depends upon the number of unit-lengths of film on the takeup spool. Advantage is taken of this fact to indicate the number of such lengths that have been wound on the spoolg'f For this purpose a pinion 148*15 provided (Fig. 13), to mesh with the sector and carrying a dial 1119, Figs. 12 and 20, which may hear suifiabie numbers or other characters visible through a window 150 in the end of the magazine casing. 1

Backward rotation of thetake-up. filmspool, with consequent .looseness of the film and in some cases incorrect spacing thereof, is prevented by a holding pawl 151, Fig.

14, held in engagement with gear 126 of a1 spring 152.

To position the film accurately in the focal plane or exposurefielithere is provided in the exposure opening 110 of the magazine (Fig. 21) a glassposition-plate 155 (removably held by the strips .156) upon which the film is firmly pressed by the yield; ing premure of a plate 157 carried by the springs 158 which .are ip turn carried by the arms 159, Figs. 21 and 2 2. The arms mentioned, are mounted on a rockshaft '160, to one end of whichthe arm 139, Fig. 14, is fixed. This arm isurged clockwise by a spring 161, which holds the} roller (carried by the free end of the arm) against the cam .162j(shown also in-Fig. 16) fixed on shaft 12$} and so positioned thereon that the rise 9 on the cam will engage and rock. the arm 13) sit the proper the i'ilm-fEe-sd is stopped by movement of the arm rocks Will is swings the arms 159 down s. and thereby pressing the plate own upon the film and holding the rely against the upper surface of J position-pints 155. The timing of the 162 is such that pressure occurs the exposure, continues during the exposure, is relieved (toy the riseon the cam. passing the pressure arm) b fore the succeedin" feeding movement of the film hegins. ion the rise on the campasses the pressure arm the spring 161 swings the up and'thus raises'thc pressure plate.

Preferably the'parts involved are so proportioned that this upward movement of the piate is snflicientto hringit well above the tower edges or the film guide-roller 163, Figrfih so that when the film is 111111011011 (during the feeding :operation) it will be out of contact with tooth plates 155 and 157 and hence will not he scratched thereby.

l't wilt he ohseri ed that although the pressure plate 15 ispositively actuated the" pressure exerted icy-the arms 159 is communirated to the plate by the springs 158, which. are independent of each other, so that if the actuating arms mentioned happen not to bc'% in accurate alignment on the shaft 160 and hence do not approach the position-plate 155 when the shaft is'rocked the pressure plate can adjust itself and press the film snugly on the position-plate without danger m of exerting materially greater: pressure on one" part of the latter than on another. Ereaka e'of the position-plate is thus virtually eliminated.

The arms 159, Fig. 22, which carry the.

pressure plate 157 are not fixed on the actuating shaft 160, but are mounted on sliding sleeves 164 and are provided with studs 165, 166 engaging corresponding apertures in the ,spring yokes 167 and arms 168, the latter being pinned on the shaft. The sleeves 164 are urged outwardly on the shaft by a coil spring 169, which serves to hold'the studs mentioned 'in their respective apertures, whereby rocking of the shaft will raise and lower the pressure plate as previously described. The sleeves are provided attheir inner ends with finger pieces 170. When these are grasped andpressed toward each other the sleeves are shifted toward each other, brin the arms 159 to the positions shown'in dotted lines, wherein the studs 165, 166 are disengaged from the yoks 167 and arms 168. The pressure p1ate-157 can now be removed for cleaning and for access to the upper s'urface'of the position plate 155 for cleaning or replacement. p As so far described, the feeding of tli'e. film is effected automatically by the shaft 130 (Fig. 13) which is rotated by the shaft gig. 12; w c is fixed on the end of the. m spindle 127 (Fig. 14} outside of the ,inagazine casing, -the o erator: noting the amount of .film

woun. onto the take-up spool by observing the dial hi9 through the window 150. This menuai. film-teed is permitted, without in." tsrfering with the automatio feed, by the fact that the gear 125 is loose. on shaft 123 and that ratchet 13s is normally disengaged from pn'wl 181.

The magazine also carries means for the film at points adjacent to the s d so that the film may out development if desired. For e arm 1'35, F'g. .l, having in. its free end as. re actuating stud 176 on the I ch, it will. be remembered, nctuates the pressure plate 157. (in the other end of the stud ill, on which the member 1.75 is lined, is arm 1Y8, Fig. 15, carrying a icr punch All; between the adjacent guide ro and the edge of the pressure plate. it l tlicreiore be seen that whenever the assure plate is depressed the punch will be actuated to merit the film, as by Lrating or indenting it, outside of the 1e area or field.

order that the film-changing mecha nism i the magazine 12 and the driving in the camera body may oper ate in harmony, so. that the cycles of the two will have theproper time relation, the tietachable or releasable operating connect-ion between the mechanisms is'constructed to permit engagement only at the proper re1areplaced on'thecamera body. If n02i the tion. For this purpose the two shafts 54, 152.0, l ly-s. ll, 5 and 13, are provided with clutch disks 185, 186, respectively, the latter having a centering pin 187 and a driving pin 188 to enter a centerin aperture 189 and drivingapcrture 190 in t e other. The driving stud and drivin aperture being properly located to give is e correct timing in their respective mechanisms it will be seen that the two mechanisms are synchronized; in other words, they cannot be operatively connected except in the proper time relation. Inasmuch as the magazine can be loaded without interference with the feedin mechanism, the clutch disk 186 will, or marily, befound to be in positionto engage at will with the other disk when the magazine is magazine clutch disk can be turne b means of a suitable spanner or other too, not shown, to brinfiit in position to match with the other dis or the latter can be turned to match the first by suflicient movement of the hand crank 31. Or the driving stud me be constructed to yield downwardly i when the magazine is placed on the camera bod the driving aperture in the magazine clutcl disk does not match with the stud. Then when the -driving mechanism is actuated by the motor or the hand crank, the revolving studwill eventually find the apertiire, whereupon it will snap up into the same. The twc'mechanisms are thus synchronized as before. i 7

The third part of my three-part camera is the lens-carrying portion, whiohybein preferably conical in iiOl'lli, is herein termed the lens cone. This "art, marked 13 in the drawingmis remove ly attached to the so underside of the camera body 10 in any convenient manner, as by means or machine studs Figsli" and 3*, adapted to extend hrough holes, as. $501, in the ed e of the li lit in the camera b0 y.

the body and lens cone firmly togcther, as will be readily understood. The shutter205, Fig. 11, in which the lens 206 is mounted, is seated in a carrier 207 suit W ably fixed in the lower end of the cone at approximately the position at which the lens is in focus for a distant object. The lens is accurately positioned by spacing stops, as 208, which oniugs the shutter is held by screws not shown) extending through said lugs.

The shutter 295i, Figfll, released or tri pod, to malts come, by the rockshe t the motion of wnich is transmitted to the shutter by a shaft 215. -'l.he latter is preferably of the telescoping type and is releasably connected to the shutter and rockshaft by lllllsfilSi-Il goints of the pin-and-slot type, indicated at Sit 217. This construction permits the shutter-release mechanism to be readily connected with the driving mechanism, by the operator removing the magazine and reaching down tl'irough the camera body. Similarly, the slmttcr-setill ting shaft; 52 is connected to the shutter by a telescoping shaft 218. and releasable uniwersal joints 219, 220.

To permit convenient use of lenses of different focal lengths without the complicatiom incident to the provision of focusing means,

I provide for my camera adplurality of in terchangeable lens cones of ifl'erent lengths appropriate to the different lenses, and

mount the lenses in preferably fixed positions in the respective cones at such points therein that when it is desired to employ, in the camera, a lens of longer or shorter focal length it is only necessary to select the desired-lens from among those rovided and attach its cone to the camera b0 y. The selected lens will then be found to be in accurate focus without the necessity of adjusting it. Two lens cones, of different lengths,

Nuts shown, used on the studs to bin ilflilnnd upon which 95 forcorrespondingly. different lenses,

V release are shown at 13 and 13 in Figs. 3 and 3, 243, in the side of the camera body 10, Fig,

h gravity constant in position with respect to lion Serial center of gravity with given'lens, the subapplication EleTial No. 59

respectively, both adapted to lit the same 2. These sockets are connected to the apcamera body, 10, Fig. 3.- i propriate parts of the driving mechanism in an aerial camera carried by a universal as indicated in Fig.10. mounting,'especiall one of the gimbal type, The gimba-l mounting illustrated in Figs. it is usually desire is to have thecenter of l and 2 is claimed in my copending applicae No. 595,045, and the driving the axes of the mounting, in. most cases in mechanism, shown in'l igs. e to 1.0 inclin or near the plane of one or another of said sive, 'is'cle'irned in my copending application axes or in or near the plane oi both if they Serial No. 5950M is designed for. a certain position of its dle described and claimed in my copending 5,05%, the shutter destitution ot' a lens of longer or shorter focal scribed and claimed in my copending applilengbli will shift the center of gravity er cation Serial No. 565,075, the reference patthe whole correspondingly, a result which tcrn plate described and claimed in my coin some instances might necessitate the res. pending application SerialNo. ll-84,832, and

moved or addition of weights or'other' adthe film-feeding and spacing mechanism justment. Accordingly I may construct my described and claimed in my copending interchangeable lens cones so that the subplioation Serial No. 330,066. stitution of onefor' another will not seri- .lt isto be understood that the invention ouslyafi'ect the position of the center of. 18 not limited to the details of construction gravity, if at all, even when the several herein specifically illustrated and described cones (and lenses)- diiier greatly. For this. and can be embodied in other forms'without purpose the camera pivots, as 21, Figs. 1', departure from its spirit as defined by the 3, 3 and 11, are mounted not on the camera "appended claims.

body but on the lens cone, each conehaving I claim:

its own pivots, so located that when the cone A er al camera comprising a plurality is attached to the camera the center of of separable units, one a camera body, angravity of the whole will be in substantially other a magazine mounted on the camera may also use, the are in the same plane. But ithe camera camera describedherein, the tilm spool spm-.

the desired position. Thus in Figs. 3 and body and having changing mechanism, and 11, the pivot brackets 225 on the relatively another a lens carrier attached to the camera short lens cone 13, carrying a lens of correbody and having shutter mechanism; drivspondi'ng focal length, are extended uping mechanism carried by one of said units; wardly far enou h to lower the camera to and releasable connections between the driva position at whic the center of gravity will ing mechanism and at least one of the otherbe, say, in the plane of {the pivots. On named mechanisms to cause thesame to opthe other hand, on the longer cone 13*, Fig, .eratc in harmony.

3, carrying-a lens of longer focal length, 2. An aerial'camera comprising a pluralt-he ivot brackets 225 are extended downity of separable units, one a camera body,-

war 1y so as to raise the camera far enough another a magazine mounted on the camera to bring the center of ravity to about the body and having changing mechanism, and, same position as when t is cone 13 was used. another a lens carrier attached to the Thus by providing difierent lens cones camera body" and havin shutter mechlor different lenses,,and mounting the 'anism; interlocking mec anism 'for the camera pivots in suitable positions onthe harmonious operation of'the shutter mech- --cones instead of on the camera body, the anism and changing mechanism carried by substitution of one lens foo another can be one of said units; and releasable driving conmade with the greatest ease and convenience. n'ections between the interlocking mechanism The speed of thewshutte'r can be varied by and at least one of the other named mechturning the knob 230 on the side of the anisms. camera body 10, Fig. 1, having a pointer tr aversing a scale 231. This knob rotates ity of separable units, one a camera body, a shaft 232, Fig. 3, on which, inside of the another a magazine mounted on the camera camera body is a earn 233 to actuate 'a. bell body and having changing mechanism; a

- crank lever 234 which in turn bears, upon lens aIlda shutter associated with the camera and actuates a vertical rod 235, Figs. 3" and body, driving mechanism carried by the 3, extending through the lens cone into camera. body and a releasable connection beoperative connection with the shutter. tween the driving mechanism and the chang- For convenience in connecting the camera ing mechanism to cause said mechanisms to with the source of current 64, Fi 10, and operate in harmony. J

with the controlling contacts 65, tiese parts 4. An aerial camera comprising a camera are provided with pin terminals 240, 241, rebody, driving mechanism carried thereby, a

spcctively, which can be inserted into and magazine removably mounted on the camera removed from the corresponding sockets 242, body, changing mechanism carried by the 3. An aerial camera comprising a plural- I magazine, a lens cone releasably attached to tween said mechanisms to actuate the cl1anging mechanism in harmony with the drivin mechanism, a lens cone detachably connected with the camera body, shutter mechanism carried by the lens cone, and a releasable connection between the driving mechamsrr and the shutter mechanism to cause the latter to operate in harmony with the other mechanisms V 6. An aerial camera composed of separable parts comprising a camera body, a magazine, and a lens cone; driving, changing, and shutter mechanisms carried separately by appropriate parts of the camera and connected together for harmonious operation; and a driving motor mounted directly upon one of said parts.

7. An aerial camera composed of separable parts comprising a camera body, a

. magazine, and a lens carrier; driving, chang- -ing and shutter mechanisms carried separatelyby appropriate parts of the camera and releasable driving connections between the several mechanisms.

8. In an aerial camera, a camera body, driving mechanism and a driving motor therefor carried by the camerabody, a magazine removably mounted on the camera body, and changing mechanism carried by the magazine and releasably connected with the driving mechanism for actuation thereby.

9. In an aerial camera, a camera body, driving mechanism carried thereby, a magazine removably mounted on the camera body, changing mechanism carried by the magazine, and a synchronizing driving (0111163- tion between said mechanisms, composed of separable parts "carried by the camera body and the magazine. 1-

10. In an aerial camera, a camera body, driving mechanism carried thereby, a film magazine removably mounted on the camera body, film-changing mechanism carried by the magazine, film-positioning mechanism carried by the magazine, actuating means, common to the film-changing and film-positioning mechanisms, and a releasable driving connection between 'the driving mechanism and said actuating means. i

11, In an aerial came "a, a camera body, a removable film magazine, film changing mechanism carried by the magazine, filmpositioning mechanism carried by the magazine, driving mechanism carried by the camera, and a releasable driving connection between the driving mechanism and the mechanisms carried by the magazine.

12. In an aerial camera, a camera body carrying a driving mechanism, a removable film magazine carrying film actuating mechanism, and a releasable driving connection between the driving mechanism and the film actuating mechanism.

13. In an aerial camera, a camera body, a removable film magazine, film changing mechanism carried by the magazine, film positioning mechanism carried by the magazine, driving mechanism carried by the camera and a releasable synchronizing driving connection between the driving mechanism and the mechanism carried by the magazine.

14-. An aerial camera (OIIIPllSlDg a plurality of separable units, one a camera body,

another a magazine mounted on the camera body andhaving changing mechanism, and another a lens-carrier, attached to the camera body and having shutter mechanism; means carried-by the lens-carrier for pivotally supporting the camera; driving-mechanism carried by one ofsaid units; and releasable connections between the driving mechanism and the other named mechanisms to cause the same to operate in harmony.

15. An aerial camera comprising a plurality of separable units, one a camera body, another a magazine mounted on the camera body and having changing mechanism, and 

